Rare trumpet stolen in Pearl District

A screen capture provided by Caleb Denison showing what he said is surveillance footage shot as his trumpet case is stolen from outside a Pearl District club. (KOIN 6 News)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A popular local musician is without “his voice.”

His prized and rare trumpet was stolen in broad daylight.

This happened last Thursday right before musician Caleb Denison was supposed to take the stage at the Local Choice Produce Market in Portland’s Pearl District area. As he was unloading his equipment a thief went to work.

Denison plays with popular bands such as the Decemberists and the Violent Femmes. He’s also social-media savvy, and has taken to Facebook hoping someone will recognize the thief.

“I’m going to try and hunt this guy down,” he said.

A screen capture from surveillance footage shot as a Portland musician’s trumpet case is stolen from outside a Pearl District club. (KOIN 6 News)

Surveillance video shows the thief take the prized silver Bach Stradivarius Model 37 in a blue case. It was among other equipment Caleb was moving inside the Market for a First Thursday event.

The suspect can be seen sitting down and waiting a few seconds before getting back up — and walking off with the trumpet case in his right hand down Northwest Everett Street.

“More than anything else it’s a tremendous sense of loss,” Denison said. “It’s not just a trumpet to me, it’s my voice.”

If the thief has a change of heart and returns the trumpet unharmed, Denison told KOIN 6 News he will not press charges. He’s also offering a cash reward for the trumpet’s return. The trumpet has the serial number 682670.